Controlling Nerves on Interview Day

Interviews can be daunting, evoking a mix of excitement and anxiety. The key to transforming this nervous energy into poised confidence lies in preparation and perspective. This article offers practical advice to stay calm and collected during interviews, ensuring you present the best version of yourself.

Preparation: The Foundation of Confidence

Preparation is paramount. Understanding the role, researching the company, and rehearsing responses to common interview questions can significantly reduce anxiety. Tailor your preparation to the specific interview format, whether in-person, phone, or video, to navigate the unique challenges each presents.

Mental and Physical Wellness

A calm mind resides in a well-cared-for body. Prioritising sleep, nutrition, and exercise in the days leading up to the interview can enhance your mental clarity and emotional resilience.

 

Mindfulness and Breathing Techniques

Practising mindfulness and breathing exercises can be incredibly effective for managing stress. Techniques such as deep breathing, visualization, or even brief meditative practices help centre your thoughts and control your physiological stress response.

Woaman relaxed

Interviews can be daunting, evoking a mix of excitement and anxiety. The key to transforming this nervous energy into poised confidence lies in preparation and perspective. This article offers practical advice to stay calm and collected during interviews, ensuring you present the best version of yourself.

Preparation: The Foundation of Confidence

Preparation is paramount. Understanding the role, researching the company, and rehearsing responses to common interview questions can significantly reduce anxiety. Tailor your preparation to the specific interview format, whether in-person, phone, or video, to navigate the unique challenges each presents.

Mental and Physical Wellness

A calm mind resides in a well-cared-for body. Prioritising sleep, nutrition, and exercise in the days leading up to the interview can enhance your mental clarity and emotional resilience.

 

Mindfulness and Breathing Techniques

Practising mindfulness and breathing exercises can be incredibly effective for managing stress. Techniques such as deep breathing, visualization, or even brief meditative practices help centre your thoughts and control your physiological stress response.

During the Interview: Strategies for Maintaining Composure

Pause Before Responding

Taking a moment to collect your thoughts before answering questions can help maintain a sense of control.

Maintain Positive Body Language

Adopting a posture that conveys confidence and openness can actually enhance your feeling of calm.

Focus on the Conversation

Treat the interview as a two-way dialogue rather than an interrogation to foster a more relaxed and engaging interaction.

Post Interview Reflection

After the interview, take time to reflect on your performance and note areas for improvement. This reflective practice not only aids in personal development but also helps demystify the interview process over time, reducing future anxiety.

Conclusion

Staying calm during an interview is a skill that can be developed through mindful preparation, self-care, and practice. By employing these strategies, you can navigate the interview process with confidence, showcasing your abilities and making a memorable impression on your potential employers. Remember, each interview is an opportunity for growth, regardless of the outcome.

SHARE THIS POST

Discover our CIPS Courses

Our courses are designed to accelerate your career in the procurement and supply chain industries. If you would like to learn more about our courses, call the SRSCC team on 01772 282555 or complete our contact form. Start your journey to success today.

CIPS Level 3

Advanced Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations.

CIPS Level 4

Diploma in Procurement and Supply.

CIPS Level 5

Advanced Diploma in Procurement and Supply.

CIPS Level 6

Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply.

Related Posts

Want to learn more? Contact our team now

Controlling Nerves on Interview Day
2024-02-01T10:58:57+00:00
Declan Hemingway
Bethanie Stimpson SRSCC

Bethanie Stimpson

Progress Mentor

Bethanie began her career in the fitness industry, working as a personal trainer and gym instructor before becoming involved in coaching children through a triathlon club. This experience sparked her passion for working with young people and ultimately led her into a career in education. She initially worked in a nursery and later as a one-to-one teaching assistant in a primary school, before completing her teaching qualification and postgraduate studies. Since then, Bethanie has taught in both the private and state education sectors.

Her academic background includes a qualification in Sports Development, Fitness and Coaching at college, alongside a Childhood & Youth undergraduate degree (2:1). These studies have enabled her to combine her interests in sport, education, and child development, shaping her holistic approach to teaching and mentoring.

Bethanie is passionate about supporting learners to achieve their goals — educationally, personally, and in terms of wellbeing. She places strong emphasis on communication and relationship building, and takes great pride in helping individuals build confidence and overcome challenges. One of her proudest achievements has been supporting learners who initially doubted themselves to grow in confidence and achieve success.

Outside of work, Bethanie has always maintained a strong interest in sport. She previously competed in triathlons and now focuses on running and swimming. In 2023, she completed the London Marathon — an achievement she is particularly proud of. She also enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and their two dogs, which is where she is happiest when not working.

Ola Kambul

Skills Coach

Ola began her career in supply chain within fast-paced warehouse and logistics environments, where she developed a strong understanding of operations and people management. Her journey into the Supply Chain sector wasn’t planned, but through hands-on experience she discovered a passion for improving processes and supporting others – which naturally led her into training and development.

She has progressed through a range of roles across operations, recruitment, and training, including Programme Coach and L&D Lead. She designed and delivered apprenticeship programmes, supporting over 40 learners to successful completion and contributing to strong quality outcomes and inspection success.  Her transition into mentoring was driven by a desire to make a direct impact on people’s confidence, growth, and career progression.

Ola’s mentoring style is supportive, structured, and empowering. She combines real operational experience with coaching expertise, helping learners apply knowledge in practical workplace settings. One of her proudest career achievements has been supporting learners who started with low confidence to achieve distinctions and progress into new roles within their organisations. She has also led a UK-wide Mental Health First Aider network, embedding wellbeing into workplace culture and supporting colleagues through challenging situations.

From day one, she shares a consistent message with every learner: “You’re more capable than you think – but you have to be willing to step outside your comfort zone to see it.”

Outside of work, Ola enjoys walking with her Border Collie, Luna, and cross stitching. She recommends Legacy by James Kerr to anyone in supply chain, for its powerful insights into leadership and culture. If she wasn’t working in mentoring and development, she would likely be pursuing a career as a Visual Merchandiser.

Jack Callaghan

Jack Moore

Operations Team Leader

In December 2023, Jack joined SRSCC as an Operations Coordinator and quickly established himself as a key member of the team.

Promoted to Team Leader in October 2024, Jack utilises his expertise in auditing processes and innovative problem-solving to identify and enhance growth opportunities.

Jack possesses a strong ability to analyse and refine systems and procedures, consistently uncovering chances for streamlining and automation that drive operational efficiency. He excels at communicating complex ideas with clarity and precision.

Detail-oriented yet big-picture focused, Jack applies his exceptional organisational skills to ensure the team adopts the most effective strategies for achieving both individual and collective goals.

His methodical approach and strategic mindset make Jack an invaluable asset to SRSCC, significantly contributing to the team’s success and the realisation of organisational objectives.